Back in the penthouse, Ava's hands still trembled.
Lucien poured two glasses of water.
He handed one to her.
"Drink."
She did.
Slowly.
Her voice shook when she spoke.
"They were trying to kill me."
"Yes."
"And this is going to keep happening?"
Lucien didn't lie.
"Yes."
Ava sank onto the couch.
Her world had turned into something terrifying.
Lucien sat beside her.
Closer than before.
"You handled it well," he said quietly.
"I was terrified."
"That's normal."
Silence stretched between them.
Then Ava looked at him.
"You weren't scared."
Lucien leaned back slightly.
"I've been in worse situations."
She studied his face.
"You're not normal, are you?"
His lips curved faintly.
"No."
Ava hesitated.
Then she asked the question that had been burning in her mind.
"Who are you really, Lucien?"
He looked at her for a long moment.
Then said quietly,
"A man with a lot of enemies."
Their eyes locked.
The tension between them returned.
Stronger than ever.
Lucien's voice lowered.
"And unfortunately for you…"
His gaze dropped briefly to her lips.
"…you're now standing right beside me."
Ava's heart beat faster.
And deep down, she realized something terrifying.
Part of her didn't want to move away.